This Way To My Blog

This Way To My Blog

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

The Sound Of Drought

The flame shooting forward, hot as hell. Sound to cattle like a dinner bell.

A roar heard at the crack of dawn, breaking the silence of early morn.

Sweat dripping down from a tired man's face, as it crosses his lips forming a salty taste.

When will the drought finally be broken? So many prayers for rain have been spoken.

Maybe there is a reason, we do not understand, as the ranch turns in to a dry parched land.

Someday the pear burner can cease it's noise, then farmers and ranchers will have time to rejoice.

Pauline Lieck July 1996

In case anyone doesn't know what a pear burner is---it is similar to what some call a flame thrower. It is used to burn the stickers off cactus so the cows can eat it when there is a drought and the feed is short. It isn't that bad now and I hope and pray it doesn't get that way. Just ran across this poem of a day when it was bad here and wanted to share it with you.

8 comments:

Chatty Crone said...

Oh my -we are having rain every single day!!!!!!!!!!! It is awful! Happy 4th of July! Sandie

Barbara In Caneyhead said...

Wonderful imagery in this poem! Well done! Thank you for sharing.
Visit me @ Life & Faith in Caneyhead. 😉

salemslot9 said...

are your John's
pear burnin' days over?

jack69 said...

I always enjoy your poetry. It is down to earth and understandable.
I also enjoy reading of your Texas life. We too are having much rain...

Paula said...

Yes Jon's pear burning days are over. In fact he doesn't even go to see his cows or want to. His son takes care of them and his lease will be up in a few months.

TARYTERRE said...

LOVE the poem. Vivid descriptions.

Rose said...

That is a great poem...I did not know what a pear burner was so thanks for tell us. I hope you never see a drought like that again.

Hootin Anni said...

Well, thanks to you I knew ahead of your explanation....only 'cause you mentioned cactus burning during the awful drought.

This is a GREAT piece of work.